Laila Rodriguez
SWITZERLAND – Here’s another resource for those of you who love to eat and make new friends; Colunching. According to their French creators, this is simply “social networking during the lunch break.”
The idea is for “foodies” of all levels, to get together over lunch, weekend brunch or after-work meals, make new connections, or just keep up with old ones.
You can “Colunch” in Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, Bern and other Swiss cities. Also, check the activities section of Glocals for lunch and meet groups.
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Laila Rodriguez
Swimming instructor at the Bains de Paquis
Geneva, Switzerland – It is hot! Perfect time to swim outdoors, but, where? Well, when it comes to finding a “beach” in Geneva, Paquis seems to come first to mind, but of course there are plenty more options.
In fact, there are officially 14 public beaches in Canton Geneva, several with picnic areas and a few with camping areas, and 116 beaches around the Lake including France.
How to find them?
Here’s our list which includes points of access for boats to the Lake.
Laila Rodriguez
Geneva, Switzerland - Get to know canton Geneva and stay fit while doing so the first weekend of the month from April to September: bike on Saturdays, or walk on Sundays.
This year bike to some of the hidden mansions in Champel or discover the lost trees of the quartier de St. Jean.
On Sundays discover the quartier des artistes, hidden gardens in Geneva and more.
There is no fee but it is recommended to sign up to reserve a spot.
There are usually English speakers in the group. Most of the bike rides are open for those 14 and up.
Saturdays by bike, Sundays by foot.
Links to: Samedies du vélo, and Dimanches au pied.
Don’t forget the sunscreen and a raincoat!
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Laila Rodriguez
Prepare for an experience as few others in town
Geneva, Switzerland – This post addresses two of the eternal Geneva conundrums: what’s on in Geneva on Sundays and what’s free?
Here’s a resource that answers both questions and can help you keep your body in a zen-state on a shoe string budget.
- When: Every Sunday. From October to May from 10:00 to 11:00, June to September from 9:15 to 10:15
- Where: Bains de Paquis
- How much: CHF20 to become a member (think of it as a one-time donation). CHF2 entry during the warm months, free the rest of the year
- No need to follow schedules, sleep in if it rains, or practice Tai-Chi under the covered area, it’s up to you!
No registration is required, just walk in and Tai-Chi your Sunday morning away.
Now, that’s a deal!
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Laila Rodriguez
Free movies under the stars in Geneva - Photo Didier Jordan
Geneva, Switzerland – My quest for bargains, cheaper prices, and free, fun events in Geneva, finds me again by Lake Geneva’s shores. Today’s key word: Ciné Transat.
Ciné Transat is a city-sponsored nocturnal hangout that offers free movies under the stars and by the lake, near the Perle du Lac restaurant. An incredible setting for a fun summer activity for all.
While the movies are not new blockbusters, they are a collection of classic films that take on new meaning when watching them under the stars – and over a picnic blanket – with friends and family.
Some movies are for adults only, but most are suitable for all.
The only necessary item is you, and sometimes, a costume.
Laila Rodriguez
Tina in plain action
Geneva, Switzerland – Geneva might have one of the highest rates of restaurants per capita in Switzerland but few to none true Latin American cafeterias or restaurants. One of the few in town is a three-in-one store, cafeteria and restaurant run by a Colombian woman better known to her patrons in the St Jean neighborhood as Tina.
El Paraíso de Tina, or Tina’s Paradise, saw the light of day seven years ago when Eucol Marchino—Tina—seized the opportunity to bring the flavors of the tropics to Geneva.
“I wanted to show that Latin women can also be entrepreneurs in Geneva,” she told GenevaLunch.
“I have worked very hard to show that an immigrant woman can be successful if she is constant and disciplined. I’ve proven that, but I’ve worked very, very hard.”
At the cafeteria you can sip a glass of Lulo, Maracuya and Curuba – different types of passion fruit – made in agua o leche (water or milk).
Laila Rodriguez
Watching movies at the theatre for less - Photo Jared Bloch
Geneva, Switzerland – Here’s a deal for any Orange telephone customer or anyone who has a friend who’s an Orange phone customer: Two people watch a movie on any given Tuesday for the price of one. Now, that’s a deal!
The concept is simple: Pick a movie, send a text message and get one free ticket. Only one person needs to be an Orange customer.
See other great deals to save money at the movies in Geneva.
Let’s go to the movies!
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Laila Rodriguez
The time of the year to buy and sell to your heart's content
Geneva, Switzerland – The incredible Sotheby’s sale this past week took most of my shopping attention, but after seeing up close those 6- to 52-carat diamonds and rare watches going for millions of dollars, I decided to turn my short attention span to another kind of more affordable vintage shopping: flea markets.
This weekend 15-16 May, the City of Geneva begins its neighborhood parties and flea-markets labeled under the city-is-yours slogan or la ville est a vous. Anyone who is not a professional seller can go early, throw down a blanket or set up a stall, and sell his/her “own vintage collection” and I mean, anything in your vintage collection. The space is free.
Grottes, first fair:
Laila Rodriguez
Website revamped, more information available
Lisa Cirieco-Ohlman's passport to knowing-it-all
Geneva, Switzerland – Being an expat who knows a lot about Geneva is one thing, being a know-it-all is a whole ‘nother one. For Lisa Cirieco-Ohlman, knowing it – almost – all and putting it in a book came serendipitously around 10pm one night in 1999 while trying to breastfeed her newborn baby.
“I was at home, when someone who I didn’t know called me. He got my phone number from someone else who I didn’t know, and was demanding an answer right there and then to his question . . . demanding me to help him! I hung up and knew I had to do something.”
While most people would simply change their phone number, this American-born, Geneva-raised expat decided to write a resource book instead. And with it, a new Geneva institution was born.
Laila Rodriguez
Picnic and bikes at the botanical gardens
Geneva and Lausanne, Switzerland – Rain is threatening to break a streak of sunny days and wide open blue skies, but don’t let a few drops keep you in as there’s plenty to do this weekend, and for free! Here are my selections.